Water Sensing Adaptable Inflow Control Device Using a Powered System

Abstract

A device or system for controlling fluid flow in a well includes a flow control element and a water detector. The water detector may actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of the flowing fluid. The water detector may be a capacitive proximity sensor. The measured property may be a dielectric constant. The flow control element may permit a predetermined amount of fluid flow after being actuated to a closed position. Also, the water detector may measure a property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element is in the closed position. A method for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular may include positioning a flow control element along the wellbore tubular; measuring a property of a flowing fluid using a water detector; and actuating the flow control element in response to the measurement.

1 . An apparatus for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
 a flow control element configured to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular; and   a water detector operably coupled to the flow control element, the water detector being configured to actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of the flowing fluid.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the water detector is a capacitive proximity sensor. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the property is a dielectric constant. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the flow control element is configured to permit a predetermined amount of flow of fluid after being actuated to a closed position. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the water detector is configured to measure a property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element has been actuated to the closed position. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a power storage element connected to the flow control element. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6  wherein the flow control element is configured to move between an open position and a closed position based on a charge state of the power storage element. 
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling a flow of fluid into a wellbore tubular in a wellbore, comprising:
 positioning a flow control element along the wellbore tubular to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular;   measuring a property of a flowing fluid using a water detector; and   actuating the flow control element in response to the measurement.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the water detector is a capacitive proximity sensor. 
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8  wherein the property is a dielectric constant. 
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 8  further comprising flowing a predetermined amount of fluid across the flow control element after the flow control element has been actuated to a closed position. 
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 8  measuring the property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element has been actuated to the closed position. 
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 8  further comprising connecting a power storage element to the flow control element. 
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13  wherein the flow control element is configured to move between an open position and a closed position based on a charge state of the power storage element. 
   
   
       15 . A system for controlling a flow of fluid in a well, comprising:
 a tubular positioned in the well;   at least one flow control element positioned along the tubular, the at least one flow control element being configured to control the flow of fluid into the wellbore tubular; and   a water detector operably coupled to the flow control element, the water detector being configured to actuate the flow control element in response to a measurement of a property of a flowing fluid.   
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein the water detector is a capacitive proximity sensor. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein the property is a dielectric constant. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein the flow control element is configured to permit a predetermined amount of flow of fluid after being actuated to a closed position. 
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 15  wherein the water detector is configured to measure a property of the fluid flowing after the flow control element has been actuated to the closed position. 
   
   
       20 . The system according to  claim 15  further comprising a power storage element connected to the flow control element.